Almighty God, we are so tempted to view some place where we meet or some act of sacrifice we complete as guarantees that you will draw near and that we are in ok standing with you. But we celebrate the truth that you aren’t controlled by any of our rituals. Thank you for the challenging yet freeing reminder that “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and who trembles at my word.” Make us a people like that! Make us quick to return to your word in every circumstance and to be deeply affected by it. Protect us from hypocrisy that would go through religious motions while actually our “soul delights in abominations.”
In verse 4 you say that you “will bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen…” Lord, we confess that we are people with many fears: failure, pain, loneliness, poverty, death. We all sin by chasing solutions to these fears that run contrary to that in which you delight. Give us ears to instead listen to your speech and answer your call of discipleship.
There are many people today who call themselves Christians, or who call themselves churches, and yet their message is solely man-centered. And they think they are doing good by slandering and castigating those who tremble at your word. Lord, put them to shame! Purify your church and let only those who treasure your words represent your name before this confused world!
We rejoice, O gracious God, that in Christ you have comforted your people, you have brought their distress to an end. Whatever awaits in this time before glory, we know that we can “drink deeply with delight” from the abundance that you’ve poured out on us. We praise you that this isn’t a secret kingdom, but word has gone out to the nations, and is still spreading “to the coastlands far away” that have not heard your fame or seen your glory. Please use us in that great work! Bring in many more brothers and sisters! And give us greater grace to hold forth the sign of the cross until your city’s day of full celebration. Until then, we trust in your provision and we trust in your justice. Amen.